Travel Wags Heroes - Dion Leonard and the little stray Gobi

Australian ultra marathon runner Dion Leonard is a man on a mission to save one small stray dog in China.

It all began as Dion competed in a gruelling race across the mountains and a desert in China. Most of us can’t imagine completing one marathon – let alone running for 250 kilometres or 155 miles.

On the second day of the race, Dion noticed a small dog at their campsite. He didn’t take too much note – why would you when your feet are blistered, the temperature is 52 degrees and you have to run the equivalent of another marathon tomorrow.

But the next day as Dion began to run, he looked down. The little stray dog was running beside him….and she did for the rest of the day.

That night, she crawled into Dion’s tent exhausted – no more than 18 months old – he named the little dog, Gobi.

Dion thought Gobi would give up, get bored with the runners and leave – but she didn’t. In the end Gobi would run next to Dion for an astonishing 126 kilometres or 78 miles.

Now Dion is raising money to bring Gobi to his home base in Scotland.

If you want to donate here is the link

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bring-gobi-home

Or if you want to keep updated the on the story of Dion and Gobi follow them on Facebook

Today we have spoken with Dion and we are sending Gobi her very own Travel Wags walking bag so when she arrives in Scotland she’s all set for her next adventures with her new Dad! Dion thanks for not leaving this dog behind – you are a Travel Wags hero!